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Olivia
Olivia's Opposites
Come and go with Olivia!
In this enchanting board book, toddlers will join everyone's favorite piglet as they learn about opposites.
In this enchanting board book, toddlers will join everyone's favorite piglet as they learn about opposites.
12 pages, Board Book
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Ian Falconer
76 books293 followersIan Falconer is the author and illustrator of all the titles in the bestselling Olivia series: Olivia, Olivia Saves the Circus,Olivia...and the Missing Toy, and Olivia Forms a Band. His illustrations have also graced many covers of the New Yorker. In addition, he has designed sets and costumes for the New York City Ballet, the San Francisco Opera, and the Royal Opera House (Covent Garden), among others. Mr. Falconer lives in New York City. (Simon & Schuster)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 14, 2021
Very simple and cute using illustrations from the Olivia books.
October 6, 2008
Olivia is a delightful character who pleases adults and children alike. Her facial characteristics and body poses are easily identified and appreciated by children ages 3-7. The use of high contrast color, black, white, gray and red in the illustrations are an appealing format for children especially in the reluctant to read crowd or for those with visual impairment where an abundance of color sometimes leads to confusion.
I have used this book successfully with Kindergarten letting students tell me the story and then asking them to draw some things Olivia would do if she came to their house. While I like all the Oliva books I specifically chose Olivia's opposites to review because it helps reinforce vocabulary in student populations transitioning to English.
School Library Journal starred 06/01/02
A very basic review with little detail about the book
Kirkus Review starred 05/01/02
A very good description of what is on the pages and surprisingly I agree with their evaluation which are usually a bit snarky
I have used this book successfully with Kindergarten letting students tell me the story and then asking them to draw some things Olivia would do if she came to their house. While I like all the Oliva books I specifically chose Olivia's opposites to review because it helps reinforce vocabulary in student populations transitioning to English.
School Library Journal starred 06/01/02
A very basic review with little detail about the book
Kirkus Review starred 05/01/02
A very good description of what is on the pages and surprisingly I agree with their evaluation which are usually a bit snarky
July 15, 2021
What a waste of resources.
Terrible. Downright terrible.
There is a pig that illustrates with their body the meaning of the word pairs on each page. There are a total of 22 words in this book, and 2 of them are repeated. The pig with its mouth open wide, the pig with its mouth closed. Ridiculous. What is the point of this book? You're going to teach your baby about opposites like open and closed with the peek-a-boo game, which is far more entertaining and useful. Why on earth would any sane toddler sit still for this? Never happen. There aren't even colors. It's black and white and red. Pointless.
Story: Dictionary
Art: Yuck
Price: 6.99
Terrible. Downright terrible.
There is a pig that illustrates with their body the meaning of the word pairs on each page. There are a total of 22 words in this book, and 2 of them are repeated. The pig with its mouth open wide, the pig with its mouth closed. Ridiculous. What is the point of this book? You're going to teach your baby about opposites like open and closed with the peek-a-boo game, which is far more entertaining and useful. Why on earth would any sane toddler sit still for this? Never happen. There aren't even colors. It's black and white and red. Pointless.
Story: Dictionary
Art: Yuck
Price: 6.99
May 20, 2017
Cute basic book. Emphasis is on the words..... and opposites!!! Sketches are a nice addition. Bland but effective.
August 19, 2017
Nice little board book about opposites.
December 28, 2017
A simple board book featuring the character Olivia and several basic opposites.
March 4, 2018
Very simple board book featuring the beloved pig Olivia. 3/5 stars.
March 20, 2018
The pictures are all from previous Olivia books. I was disappointed.
July 30, 2018
Exactly what the title indicates: A children’s book of opposites like up/down, loud/quiet, etc. Falconer illustrates with his traditional black/white and a splash of red.
January 23, 2020
My little one loves this book!
March 11, 2021
Cute, if short, primer on opposites. Olivia is as charming as ever.
December 4, 2022
Olivia is one of those books that I like way more than my students ever seemed to - so I have brought them home for me to enjoy.
March 22, 2024
There were only 6 opposites, and the quiet / loud one features a threat of violence. Separate from that, I do like the black / white + pop of red in the Olivia series.
June 12, 2024
Gosh, I just love Olivia so much.
March 10, 2017
Not much content and a lot of it is recycled from the original book.
May 3, 2008
I chose this book because of the popularity of the Olivia books, and because I am not familiar with them. This is a wonderful book. The illustrations are simple, but full of movement. The protagonist is a female pig, and the drawings are done in such a way that she has a lot of personality. The board book is in "chewable" format, so it is more durable for this age group. Olivia is drawn entirely in black, white and red which makes the red stand out where it is used. Her character seems self-assured (she yells back at the lion in the "quiet", "loud" page), but is also feminine (the "long", "short" example has her pictured in a long and short red dress, the "fancy", "plain" has her in red lipstick and red high heeled shoes for the "fancy" picture). Most of the pictures have Olivia centered in the page with the text in bold large letters underneath her. However, the "coming" and "going" example has her spilling off the edge of the page with the text either in front (for "coming") or behind (for "going") her. I think little kids would love this book, the drawings have so much movement and personality.
July 18, 2012
Publication: 2002
Grade/Age: Ages 2-5
Annotation: Olivia the piglet introduces the concept of opposites by demonstrating word pairs.
Themes: Opposites, word pairs, pigs
Ways to use the book:
Pair with other books for a unit on opposites - Opposites by Sandra Boynton; Foot Book by Dr. Seuss.
After talking about opposites, have children make their own little book of opposites.
Celebrate "Opposites Day." Send a note home to parents prior to "Opposites Day," suggesting that the children wear clothing backwards or inside out. Greet the children with "Goodnight," walk backwards and serve pineapple upside down cake.
Grade/Age: Ages 2-5
Annotation: Olivia the piglet introduces the concept of opposites by demonstrating word pairs.
Themes: Opposites, word pairs, pigs
Ways to use the book:
Pair with other books for a unit on opposites - Opposites by Sandra Boynton; Foot Book by Dr. Seuss.
After talking about opposites, have children make their own little book of opposites.
Celebrate "Opposites Day." Send a note home to parents prior to "Opposites Day," suggesting that the children wear clothing backwards or inside out. Greet the children with "Goodnight," walk backwards and serve pineapple upside down cake.
September 20, 2011
There was only one image per page and the illustrations were all in shades of black/gray, white and red. The concepts were easily understood. I particularly liked the illustration of quiet and loud. The left hand side had a lion roaring (for loud) and Olivia being quiet. The right hand side had Olivia screaming (for loud) and the lion being quiet. A great way to get across that attributes can change.
June 28, 2009
I really like this book because of the simple yet descriptive and funny illustrations. There's only one word to a page/picture, so it's easier for my son to focus on what the word means. Also, the whole book is black and white, so I think even a very young infant my be able to enjoy looking at this book- as those are the only colors newborns can see.
July 15, 2010
Illustrator: Ian Falconer
Age: Preschool
Summary: Olivia explores the world of opposites.
Applications/Uses: Can be used when talking about words that are opposite or actions that are opposite, it is a board book so would be best in a preschool or kindergarten classroom.
Themes/Connections: Opposites, pigs
Awards: None
Age: Preschool
Summary: Olivia explores the world of opposites.
Applications/Uses: Can be used when talking about words that are opposite or actions that are opposite, it is a board book so would be best in a preschool or kindergarten classroom.
Themes/Connections: Opposites, pigs
Awards: None
June 4, 2009
This a cute little book, told in Olivia's spunky style. I enjoyed this short board book and would definitely recommend, it is highly amusing.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
May 6, 2009
My 2 year old LOVES this book. We bought it sunday and already she is remembering oppisites for four different things! It is simple (one word per page) and the drawing on each page shows just the word it is depicting so it does not confuse her and it helps her understand the word better.
June 15, 2011
I wish this were a little longer. It seems like the author just took illustrations from books he'd already written that worked when paired as opposites, and didn't add much more. Not especially creative or exciting if you already have other Olivia books.
November 18, 2011
Simple book that uses a familiar children's character 'Olivia' the pig as she introduces basic opposite terms. Should be in Prek, Kindergarten classrooms. Have students list other opposites that they know in the classroom. Allow students to go outside and recognize natural opposites.
Read
August 3, 2007Great expressive art, as always.
August 19, 2007
I like Olivia, and the stories she's in, but my girl didn't really get into the meme, so we moved on to other books. *shrug*
February 11, 2008
Another great book for little kids when they are learning about opposites. Again, you can't beat the illustrations, or the precociousness of Olivia :)
May 20, 2008
It's a book that niece can ready by her self at (5) Olivia the little pig in the book is so cute!
June 8, 2008
Very simple plot, just a basic for the younger crowd Falconer's winning illustrations are what make this worthy of three stars.
January 18, 2010
Really the only kids books I will put up are the ones we love, or maybe a really bad one in the future just to warn parent's. The kids act out this book and it has become a family favorite.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews